OK, so maybe last week was a fairly easy week to predict (although Kinston came awfully close to spoiling my first perfect week all season). This week? Not so much.

I don’t bet. But if I did, I would have placed a few friendly wagers on some of last week’s games. The only thing I am betting this week is North Lenoir will enjoy a much-needed Friday off.

KINSTON (4-4, 1-3) at GREENE CENTRAL (1-6, 0-3): With only two games left on its schedule, who would have thought last year’s 2AA Eastern Regional champion could have only four, five, or even six wins when the regular season concludes on Oct. 26? I think it would be a safe bet to say no one, but that’s what the Vikings are faced with. The Rams, who used their off week to put in a few new packages, won’t be a pushover tonight. Kinston is already playoff eligible, but it needs this win for moral’s sake. Otherwise, a double-digit playoff seed looms. Kinston 34, Greene Central 20.

SOUTH LENOIR (1-7, 0-4) at SWANSBORO (3-5, 0-4): The Blue Devils have rode running back Dion Jones the last three weeks, and if they’re to reach the playoffs like they believe they can then tonight is a must-win game. The Pirates have won some easy contests, but on the same hand they’ve been somewhat competitive in league play. South Lenoir is definitely a different team today than it was against East Duplin. South Lenoir 14, Swansboro 10.

MERRY HILL LAWRENCE ACADEMY (2-5) at PARROTT ACADEMY (3-4): Let’s face it: Last week’s 12-point debacle by the Patriots against Raleigh Word of God was a fluke. They can score just about anytime they want, although those 12 points brought Parrott’s average down to 36.5 points per game. Against Lawrence, scoring shouldn’t be a problem considering it has allowed the fourth-most points (341) in 8-man football this year. Parrott 48, Lawrence 16.

DIXON (4-3, 1-1) at JONES SENIOR (0-7, 0-2): The Trojans played at Southwest Onslow last week with only 14 players due to injuries, a number 8-man teams would struggle with. This week, coach John Davis thinks he’ll get a few back, but even 16-17 players is tough to compete with. One of them won’t be quarterback Darvoris Batts, who is lost for the season with a knee injury. Dixon 27, Jones Senior 7.

AYDEN-GRIFTON (6-1, 2-0) at NORTH DUPLIN (5-2, 1-1): The Rebels have a good record, but the five teams they have defeated have a combined 15-23 record. Since losing at North Pitt Ayden-Grifton has yet to be challenged. Ayden-Grifton 41, North Duplin 17.

Ryan Herman’s picks column will appear in The Free Press on Fridays during football season. He is 32-13 on the year. Reach him at 252-559-1073 or Ryan.Herman@kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter: @KFPSports.